The Boston Celtics and Miami Heat played a game on Tuesday night that TNT and the NBA probably didn't envision when they first made the schedule. In the last throes of the season with the playoffs tipping this weekend, both teams rested almost all their stars, with Paul Pierce the only real key player participating. Miami held out Chris Bosh, LeBron James, and Dwyane Wade while Boston was without Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Rajon Rondo. The result was an almost unwatchable 78-66 Boston win, which featured almost 40 turnovers and only four players in double figures.
Sasha Pavlovic -- yes, Sasha Pavlovic -- led all scorers with 16 points on seven of ten from the floor. Pierce played only 18 minutes and turned it over six times before taking a seat and letting the second teams get full exposure. Miami committed a whopping 24 turnovers and shot just 38 percent from the floor. Dexter Pittman scored a team-high 12 points while James Jones added 11 off the bench. Udonis Haslem grabbed 13 rebounds in just 23 minutes but there was little else notable for Miami. It certainly wasn't a game they could take anything away from, and they will now finish off the season on Thursday night in DC against the Wizards.
The Miami Heat and Boston Celtics may have some titanic clashes on the horizon, but in the final week of the regular season, Tuesday night is not one of the them. Both teams are playing without their stars, as Erik Spoelstra is holding out LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade. Boston is playing without Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett. The results were ugly, with plenty of poor shooting in turnovers in a less than auspicious showcase for the NBA. Miami leads Boston 34-28 after the first 24 minutes.
It was expected that Miami would rest their stars, and a number of bench players had opportunities in the first half. But neither team has a player in double figures yet, with both teams committing nearly as many turnovers, 23, as made field goals, 26. James Jones leads all Miami players with nine points, going a perfect three-for-three from behind the arc. Udonis Haslem has grabbed nine boards, but there has been plenty of opportunities with Boston shooting just 31 percent from the floor.
The Miami Heat could be without their big three in Tuesday's game against the Boston Celtics. Can they still stay in contention for the top seed in the Eastern Conference?
